Itching and the Vest

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JennaB

New member
Last night, I did my vest, and I itched my stomach so bad that I scratched so hard that I ended up bleeding. I had no idea that I was even scratching that hard, now it is scabbed over. I really should wear mittens or something!

Does anyone else do this?
 
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anonymous

New member
My husband has that same problem when he uses the vest, but he just toughs it out. I tried it the other night, for 20 minutes and I felt like I was going crazy, I can't tough something like that out. I put a wet, cool rag on my chest, shoulders and back and it really seemed to help. But I don't use it everyday so I am not sure if it will work-with a try though.

Julie (wife to Mark 24 w/CF)
 
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Starfall99

New member
I also end up itching like crazy after vesting... right after I finish I usually give in and scratch like a madwoman for like 30 seconds, and then just leave it alone -- the itching usually goes away pretty quickly once I get the vest off.

I always feel like I'm breaking out of some sort of restraints when I finish, I yank the tubes out before it even has a chance to deflate and all the air comes whooshing out the holes. It's like, "Free at last!!... ACK ITCHY!!!" <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">
 
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Diane

New member
I have the same issue. When i use the vest on high speed is when it really starts to itch.
~Diane 40 / cf / diabetes / b.cepacia
 
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Purplelungs

New member
I thought I was the weird one. I tell my docs and my RTs at the hospital I hate the vest cus I makes me itch so bad (plus I get a bit clostrophobic) and they say I just need to tighten the vest or wrap up in a towel....and i just kinda say ok even though I know it wont work cus I tried it. The only thing a towel does is makes it even tighter, seems to absorb some of the vibrations and makes you even hotter than you are. So I prefer hand PT if I can get it.
 
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ClashPunk82

New member
Wow I thought I was just a strange person for itching so much after but I guess I'm not alone!! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0"> I hate the itchy feeling I itch when I get Vancomycin too. The first time I got it I turned red and thought I had bugs on my skin so now everytime I get Vanco I have to take benadryl before but it definitely makes the itching stop!! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif" border="0">
 
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Magerly111

New member
Yea...I don't like to itch, and personally, I never go higher than the speed/frequency of 12. The respiratory therapists at my hospital like to tease me about that...but I don't care. I sometimes feel/think that the lower speed makes me cough up more.
 
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JennaB

New member
And yes, wearing more clothes makes you even hotter. I really am laughing about the above comment made by Starfall - this is great - I always feel like I'm breaking out of some sort of restraints when I finish, I yank the tubes out before it even has a chance to deflate and all the air comes whooshing out the holes. It's like, "Free at last!!... ACK ITCHY!!!"
 
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JohnnaMarie

New member
I think the iching from the vest is alot worse in the winter time. If I get super ichy I make sure to lotion up good before I do the vest so my skin is not dry at all.
 
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anonymous

New member
Guys, forgive my ignorance, but what is the vest? I obviously have an idea, but I have never heard of it in Australia. Are they only in the US? How much are they? Where can you get one from? We are still in the land of flutter, PEP and hand percussion!
 
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ej0820

New member
the vest is, well, it's a vest (duh, lol) that inflates and claps your back at different speeds and pressures. It pretty much does hand percussion for you. They are expensive but you might be able to talk to the vest company and your insurance company and see if things are possible. I only was able to afford one because a few years ago, the vest company said that they would pay for every cfer to have one if insurance wouldn't pay for it (and my insurance is stupid, lol). Anywho...to answer the itching question...yes, it is itchy! My chest usually itches when I use it (even more if I cough with it on). I thought this was just a weird thing with me, ha.

erin
19/f/cf
 
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